SHIKHAR MAINS 2022- DAY 47 Model Answer English

Q1. भारत में साइबर सुरक्षा के लिए क्या चुनौतियाँ हैं? साइबर सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने के लिए सरकार द्वारा उठाए गए कदमों का भी उल्लेख कीजिए ।

What are the challenges to cyber security in India? Also mention the steps taken by government to ensure cyber security.

Approach:

·        Define cyber security in introduction.

·        Write about the challenges related to cyber security.

·        State the steps taken by the government to ensure cyber security.

·        Conclude with way forward.

Answer:

According to the Information Technology Act, 2000, 'cybersecurity' means protecting information, equipment, devices, computers, computer resources, communication devices and information stored therein from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction.

Challenges before cyber security

·        India ranks third after the US and China in terms of cybercrime. Today a large population of India is leading a digital life. Most people have started keeping personal confidential information from bank accounts to computers and mobile phones and the incidents of hacking are also increasing.

·        Many such foreign companies are providing services in the country whose server is not in their country. Keeping such companies under surveillance is a big challenge.

·        If cybercrime is not controlled, then cyber attackers can control important places like nuclear plants, railways, transportation and hospitals, which can result in serious problems like power failure, water pollution, floods.

·        We are talking about Digital India and cashless economy, but our legal framework for digital privacy and data protection is very elementary or low level.

·        One of the challenges is that it is difficult to find or trace an attacker. Attackers can even mislead the target (the one attacked) into thinking that the attack originated from somewhere else.

·        The absence of any geographical barriers enables attackers to attack from anywhere in the world.

·        Need for International Cooperation: Even from the point of view of national interest, cyber space is international in nature. If any country has to protect the functionality of cyberspace relevant to its citizens, it is not possible for it to ignore the incidents that happen in any part of cyberspace.

·        Rapidly evolving technology requires investment, skilled manpower and a conducive ecosystem to keep up with global developments, stay ahead of evolving competitors and competition.

Steps taken by the government for cyber security:

·        The government tied up with MyGov for publicity through different mediums. Apart from this, a handbook was printed for the youth. At the same time, Cyber ​​Security Awareness Week was organized through C-DAC with the help of Police Department. Cyber ​​Cleanliness for Cyber ​​Space - Do's and Don'ts Manual released.

·        Indian Cyber ​​Crime Coordination Center (I4C) - acts as the nodal point in fighting against cybercrime.

·        To prevent cybercrime, the government launched Cyber ​​Dost Twitter handle and so far more than 1066 cyber security tips have been shared on it. This Twitter account has more than 3.64 lakh followers.

·        In India, the 'Information Technology Act, 2000' was passed, the provisions of which along with the provisions of the Indian Penal Code are sufficient to deal with the impact of cyber-attacks together.

·        Sections 43, 43A, 66, 66B, 66C, 66D, 66E, 66F, 67, 67A, 67B, 70, 72, 72A and 74 of the Information Technology Act 2000 deal with hacking and cybercrimes.

·        The 'National Cyber ​​Security Policy, 2013' was released by the government under which the 'National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Center (NCIIPC)' was constituted for the protection of sensitive information.

·        Under this, there is a provision of imprisonment from 2 years to life and also fine or fine.

·        In order to develop human resources in the field of information security at various levels, the government has launched the project 'Information Security Education and Awareness: ISEA'.

·        The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) was made the nodal agency to analyze, anticipate and warn about cyber security threats.

·        India is coordinating with countries such as the US, UK and China to share information and adopt best practices in terms of cyber security.

·        A 'Cyber ​​Swachhata Kendra' has also been set up to deal with cyber crimes in a coordinated and effective manner in the country. It is a part of the Digital India campaign of the Government of India under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

·        The government has approved the framework for cyber security. For this, the National Security Council Secretariat has been made the nodal agency.

·        However, these measures are important but not sufficient to check cyber security in India.

Way Forward:

·        Creating awareness: There is a need to sensitize people and institutions about the need and importance of cyber security measures, so that they can report such attacks immediately, so that prompt action can be taken.

·        Empowering Resources: This sector should be given adequate importance in terms of finance and manpower.

·        Offensive Ability: Instead of being only defensive, aggressive abilities also need to be developed.

·        Integrated Cyber Security Command: Currently, we follow a sector-specific policy of cyber security, which hinders coordinated efforts.

·        That's why we need an Integrated Cyber Security Command.

·        There is a need to make cyber laws strict in the country.

Q2. भारत में संगठित अपराध को नियंत्रित करने से संबद्ध प्रमुख मुद्दे कौन-से हैं? चर्चा कीजिए कि आतंकवाद के विरुद्ध भारत की लड़ाई में संगठित अपराध से निपटना कैसे एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम है।

What are the major issues in controlling organized crime in India? Discuss how tackling organized crime is an important step in India’s fight against terrorism.

Approach:

·        In the introduction briefly explain organized crime.

·        Identify and enumerate the challenges in controlling organized crime in India.

·        Bring out the relation between organized crime and terrorism and discuss how eliminating the former is important to eliminate the latter.

Answer:

Organized crime operations range from illegal protection economies and extortion rackets to cybercrime, oil theft, money laundering, counterfeiting, maritime piracy and trafficking of illicit drugs, humans, firearms and wild-life.

These activities weaken stability of politico-economic system, harm investors, hamper free competition, burden interstate and foreign commerce, threaten domestic security and undermine general welfare of people.

Major issues in controlling organized crime in India-

·        Absence of a national level coordination agency for organized crimes which may collect intelligence related to organized crimes, train law enforcement officers and coordinate in rescue and rehabilitation of victims.

·        Weak Criminal justice system: states are not in position to spare adequate resources for criminal justice system agencies. Number of police personnel is inadequate. There is a lack of training facilities for investigation. Protection of witness and huge pendency of cases are further dampeners.

·        Lack of Participation by Public: Public is unwilling to help police due to the fear of police harassment or threat from criminals.

·        Globalization – Has led to spanning of organized crime across borders making it much more difficult to track and address.

·        Technological sophistication of organized crimes: new technologies open up many possibilities for criminals to carry out traditional financial crimes in new ways.

·        Criminal, Political & Bureaucratic Nexus: States affected by corruption become targets for drug traffickers, money launderers etc. that encourage lawlessness. In the process, rule of law and democratic process are undermined.

·        Porous borders- drug and human trafficking- India’s strategic location, between Southeast and Southwest Asia, the two main sources of illicit opium, make it a drug transshipment area.

·        Weakness of financial system- prevalence of cash economy, parallel transactions through hawala, money laundering etc.

Tackling Organized crime to control Terrorism

There is a close symbiotic relationship between organized crime and terrorism. Terrorist groups, whether indigenous or sponsored by outside states, need arms and money for their fight against security forces. While, organized crime conglomerates need a clientele and courier who can pay them, smuggle drugs, arms and human beings across countries and regions. In India, linkages between the two exist at national and transnational levels. For example:

·        In North-East, Terrorist organizations mobilize funds through illegal drugs, arms and human trafficking,

·        Terrorists are main couriers of counterfeit currency inside Kashmir, which then spreads all over India. Incidents like 1993 Bombay blasts, 26/11 Mumbai attacks have exposed connection between terrorism and organized crime.

Hence, it is imperative that organized crime is also controlled to curb terrorism. Though organized crime has declined from the levels of 1990s but still crime syndicates are operative in different parts of country.

Government initiatives like curbing black money, benami properties, money laundering, UAPA, special courts etc. have curbed organized crime. However, a lot more can be done:

·        Implementing CCTNS for intelligence gathering and sharing between different agencies.

·        National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) as federal anti-terror agency.

·        Strengthening capacity of police and investigation agencies.

·        Effective implementation of Prevention of corruption act (POCA), Lokpal etc. to curb corruption to break criminal-political bureaucratic nexus.

·        Witness protection and police sensitization towards them.

·        Public participation while people becoming eyes and ears of agencies.

The Supreme Court has recently directed the Centre to set up Organized Crime Investigating Agency (OCIA). This can be a positive step in combating organized crime which in turn can be helpful in tackling terrorism.